Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant T. McMillan, 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for the capture of 4 machine guns and 45 prisoners during the attack near Hargicourt, 18 September 1918. He was wounded in action on 4 separate occasions: during 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2097 Sjt T. McMillan. 3/Aust: Inf.) good very fine £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Hargicourt, on 18th September 1918. During the advance he located an enemy machine-gun nest, and taking two of his platoon rushed the post, killing a number of the crew and capturing four machine guns and 45 prisoners, aiding considerably the speedy capture of the objective with a minimum of losses. He did splendid work, and showed a fine example of courage and leadership.

His capable leadership, initiative, and disregard of danger set a fine example to all. He was wounded later in the operation but remained on duty throughout although severely shocked and slightly wounded in the face by shrapnel.’

Thomas McMillan was born in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland, in 1882, and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Liverpool, New South Wales, 10 April 1915.

McMillan served with the M.E.F., and was wounded in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 19 August 1915. He served with the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 1st Australian Brigade, 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from March 1916. McMillan was wounded in action on a further three occasions: 18 August 1916, 14 October 1917 and 9 August 1918.

Having advanced to Sergeant, 1 September 1918, McMillan was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry near Hargicourt, Somme, 18 September 1918. On the latter date the Battalion War Diary records losses of 1 officer and 7 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 71 other ranks killed, whilst giving 60 Germans killed, approximately 200 captured, along with 22 guns and 20 machine-guns captured during the attack.

McMillan returned to Australia in the H.T. Kyber, 15 May 1919, and was discharged 22 July 1919.